April 17, 2015

Alumni Profile: Laura Brinn '99

Laura BrinnGraduation Year and Majors: 1999 – BA in Communication and BS in German

Current Position and Work History: Executive Director of Global Communications, Duke University. I have worked at Duke since 2001 in media relations and marketing roles at our Health System, Fuqua School of Business, and for the past 4.5 years leading global communications for the university. Before that I was an account executive in the health and medical practice at Ogilvy PR in New York City.

Professional Organizations and Service: Academic advisor for pre-major students at Duke and HC Advancement Council

Awards and Scholarships: University Scholars Award recipient, Rivers Scholarship for study abroad, CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) Gold Award for Excellence in Research Writing (2008) and General News Writing (2011)

What were some of your most memorable experiences as a communication major and University Scholar at ECU?

When I was at ECU, communication was a department, not a school as it is now, and Honors was a program, not a college, so it’s been great to watch both of these areas grow and evolve into their current forms. I would have to say the opportunities I was given through both programs shaped my ECU experience, and who I am today. As a communication major I had the chance to learn the fundamental skills that I still use every day, and to put those skills into practice both in classroom situations and assignments, but also during summer internships in Raleigh and Washington DC. And the University Scholars award, and Rivers scholarship, allowed me to spend my junior year studying at the University of Mannheim in Germany. That was an incredible experience that broadened my understanding of the world and really began to shape my understanding of what it means to be a global citizen.

What does it mean to be recognized by your Alma Mater in the inaugural 40 Under 40 awards ceremony?

It is a tremendous honor to be included among ECU’s 40 under 40. The other honorees are such an impressive and diverse group of Pirates who are making important contributions through their careers in public service, business and education, and I was delighted to meet many of them and learn more about their work and interests. Although many of us were at ECU at different times, it is clear that our experiences at ECU shaped all of us into the people we are now.

40under40

The inaugural 2015 40 Under 40 inductees, an award and ceremony hosted by ECU’s Division of Student Affairs.

Why do you enjoy being on the Honors College Advisory Council?

I love being a member of the Honors College Advancement Committee. When I learned that an Honors College had been created, and the many ways the Honors College was providing incredible learning experiences for its students, I couldn’t wait to become more involved. Spending time with the students and faculty members, and learning how the students’ experiences at ECU have helped them grow not only as scholars, but also as citizens with a commitment to service, is really inspiring. The Honors College is providing tremendous opportunities for these students, and it is delightful to see the students soak it all up.

What led you to your current position and tell me about your passion for this work.

I’m passionate about education and its power to transform people’s lives, and am really grateful to have a career that allows me to combine my skills and expertise with that passion every day. At Duke I’ve had the opportunity to work in several different settings, doing different types of marketing and communications, and that has allowed me to develop a broad view of how we can combine and apply a variety communications tools to advance the university’s mission. For the past five years, I’ve been leading our efforts to expand Duke’s reputation around the world, calling on all of the approaches I’ve learned over the years to adapt and apply them in a global setting.